The Ashes.......

[amateur51]

Hang on a Sec! If, as Flower claims, Trott has been suffering from stress "for some time", why was he selected to go on what is, arguably, the most combative and stressful tour of the lot? Either all those psychologists are overrated and incompetent, as they are obviously incapable of detecting an individual suffering from stress, or some very dubious misinformation is being put about.

Or Trotty, being a typical blokes's bloke, played down the impact to keep his place in the side and to not let it affect morale and has only recently realised that this was a mistake. Plus all the sledging has got to him.

Being a bit of a wuss myself, I think that sledging should be banned and punished severely if repeated

[teamsaint]

Or Trotty, being a typical blokes's bloke, played down the impact to keep his place in the side and to not let it affect morale and has only recently realised that this was a mistake. Plus all the sledging has got to him.

Being a bit of a wuss myself, I think that sledging should be banned and punished severely if repeated

just as likely his agent(s) wanted to keep the cash flowing. The money in top flight cricket is huge now.

odd point of view for somebody who spends time on THIS forum Ams. We could teach the aussies a thing or two......

[amateur51]

just as likely his agent(s) wanted to keep the cash flowing. The money in top flight cricket is huge now.

odd point of view for somebody who spends time on THIS forum Ams. We could teach the aussies a thing or two......

I hardly think that dodgy missives and name-calling from Mr Pee and Mandy could be described as sledging teams

[amateur51]

Some comment & detail from Andy Flowers, Marcus Trescothick & Jonathan Agnew plus some enlightening statistics ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/25086761

[amateur51]

Depending on the circumstances Broad, Anderson and Swann are each potential match-winners. What they lack at present is Bresnan to keep one end pretty tight while they weave their magic at the other end. Big Tim even takes the occasional wicket and makes the occaasional fifty. C'mon Tim!

Woo-hoo Big Tim makes runs for England Performance Programme on the first day of their match in Brisbane. When England PP bowl it will be important to assess if Bresnan will be fit enough to play in the Second Test

C'mon Tim!

[amateur51]

Woo-hoo Big Tim makes runs for England Performance Programme on the first day of their match in Brisbane. When England PP bowl it will be important to assess if Bresnan will be fit enough to play in the Second Test

C'mon Tim!

Big Tim takes 4-31 and gets 10/10 for trying

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/25129592

[hedgehog]

Honours about even on the first day? Carberry's dropped fairly simple catch might prove costly though.

[amateur51]

However, at the end of day two England are facing defeat unless at least three batsmen knuckle down and do some heavy lifting,

A dose or two of the good fortune that attended the Australian first innings would be most welcome too

[hedgehog]

I have, probably stupidly, a little more faith. They should get a draw out of this, the wicket is so tame. Even so, the Aussies do seem to be prising England's grip on the trophy off, finger by finger.

[eighthobstruction]

I think they should get Finn and Tremlett on steroids right now so they will be out of their system by the final Test....

[amateur51]

I have, probably stupidly, a little more faith. They should get a draw out of this, the wicket is so tame. Even so, the Aussies do seem to be prising England's grip on the trophy off, finger by finger.

Oh I agree that defeat is by no means a foregone conclusion but some of these expensively retained batsmen have to prove their worth if that is to happen.

It did my old heart good to hear about Monty twirling away once again.

[amateur51]

I think they should get Finn and Tremlett on steroids right now so they will be out of their system by the final Test....

[aeolium]

However, at the end of day two England are facing defeat unless at least three batsmen knuckle down and do some heavy lifting,

A dose or two of the good fortune that attended the Australian first innings would be most welcome too

Not sure about good fortune, more like bad fielding by England. You can't drop easy catches like Carberry's on a flat pitch like this one and get away with it. If he had held that catch England would have had an end open to bowl at the tail today.

I agree that the pitch sounds so easy England ought to get a draw but Lyon might well be a danger especially second innings. If they lose this one they've had it for the series and they might even struggle to avoid a whitewash.

[Sir Velo]

I'm cancelling my subscription to Sky Sports with immediate effect.

[DracoM]

Cook now exceptionally vulnerable, Trott gone, very young Joe Root as prime target, Prior's batting like a zero at the mo. Hmm.
Think they ought to do what Oz started two or so years ago, and rebuild. Swann and Panesar are clearly past the time when they could cut it at this level. So......Briggs, Borthwick, Ballance, Buttler. Get them in, suffer losses, build for the future. Despite huge admiration, practically speaking I fear Cook's days as captain are numbered unless he can cure himself of his not inconsiderable fallibilities on responsive tracks.